Spring-suspension column clamp



2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Jan. 5, 1924 l 4. p WM I n I .H... w 7 H 1 Z h w 3x9 5 J SPRING SUSPENSION COLUMN CLAMP 2 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Jan. 5, 1924 amoamtoz C K ZMMAZ Patented Aug. 19, 1924.

UNITED STATES l PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID C. KLAUSMEYER, 0F CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CINCINNATI BICK- FORD TOOL COMPANY, OF OAKLEY, CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

SPRING-SUSPENSION COLUMN CLAMP.

Application filed January 3, 1924. Serial No. 684,154.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, DAVID C. KLAUs- MEYER, a citizen of the United States, and residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Spring-Suspension Column Clamp, of which the following specification is a full disclosure.

This invention relates to machine-tools especially such as are relatively massive and which normally operate under heavy strains and yet which must, for the purposes of adjustment, admit of a free and comparatively delicate manipulation. Machine-tools of the type known as radial-drills possess these various characteristics and the invention may therefore advantageously be shown and described in connection with such a machine.

A radial drill, as commonly constructed, comprises a. base, an upstanding column supported thereby, and a horizontally extending arm rotatably journaled (through a sleeve) upon the column. The arm supports an adjustably-mounted drill-head carrying a drill-spindle within the lower end of which is secured a suitable drill-point. This horizontal arm and the drill-head carried thereby are, of necessity, of great weight and that weight exerts a pronounced pressure between the sleeve and the column; all of which creates friction that interferes with ease of adjustment when the drill is out of operation. A different strain may be exerted upon the column when the drillhead is adjusted to a position near the free end of the arm (where great leverage isobtained) and the drill point is urged into the work by the usual power driven elements; this latter strain being (when the drill is under heavy duty) in a direction reverse to that of the strain exerted upon the column when the drill is out of operation. But, irrespective of reverse strains, any clearance between the sleeve and the column (such as is provided for ease of adjustment) introduces an element diminishing ultimate precision. Furthermore, any deflection of the column, either before or during the drilling operation (unless compensated for when the drill is in use) would disturb the initial location of the drill point with respect to the work and the extreme accuracy sought for in these machines would be lost. It is therefore essential that, during the drilling operation, all initial and subsequent fiexure of the column and sleeve be eliminated and avoided; to the end that perfect work may be produced.

In other words, as the horizontal arm must, under certain conditions, be adjusted both vertically and horizontally with respect to the column, it has been found expedient to employ a post rigidly secured to the base and a sleeve rotatably journaled upon the post. The horizontal arm which carries the drill is conveniently mounted, for vertical adjustment, on the sleeve whereby both the vertical and horizontal adjustments of the arm are effected in a manner well understood in the art. To permit of easy rotation of the sleeve on the post the greater portion of the weight of the sleeve is preferably supported upon an antifriction bearing carried at the upper end of the post, and vertical bearings are provided to receive the lateral thrusts.

Now this invention contemplates means for positively locking the sleeve to the post and for strengthening the column; the post being preferably formed, adjacent its lower end, with a platform upon which the lower end of the sleeve is adapted to be brought into contact by a suitable clamping mechanism. To reduce the friction between the post and sleeve, when the arm is being adjusted horizontally, the lower end of the sleeve is preferably held to rest either not at all or only lightly upon the platform; the weight of the sleeve and arm being then supported either mainly or altogether upon the thrust-bearing at the top of the post. This is accomplished by interposing a resilient weight-taking element between the top of the post and the sleeve; which element has a strength sufficient to sustain the weight of the sleeve and its associated parts but which may be opposed by the abovenoted clamping mechanism.

This invention therefore has for its primary object to provide, in a machine of the type described an improved means for yieldingly suspending the sleeve from the upper end of the post in a manner permittingeasy rotation of the arm preparatory to a drilling operation; together with means for overcoming the yielding-means to the extent of forcibly seating the sleeve upon the post adjacent its lower end and thereby eliminate initial distortion of the column as well as that existing during a drilling operation and when the parts are under working strains.

Another object is so to construct and arrange the said yielding means that it will retain its position with respect to the sleeve in all of the angular positions of the sleeve on the post.

A further object of the invention is to provide means, accessible from the exterior of the sleeve, for adjusting the sleeve vertically with respect to the post whereby the pressure necessary to seat the sleeve on the platform carried by the post is made variable.

A still further object is to equip a ma chine, as above described, with means, active only when the drill is being hoisted by the sleeve, to prevent separation of the sleeve from the post.

Other objects and advantages will be in part indicated in the following description and in part rendered apparent therefrom in connection with the annexed drawings.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to apprehend the underlying features hereof that they may embody the same in the various ways contemplated by this inven tion, drawings depicting a preferred typical construction have been annexed as a part of.

this disclosure and, in such drawings, .like characters of referencedenote corresponding parts throughout all the views, ofwhich:

Fig. 1 is a side-elevation, partly'in section of a radial drill embodying the present invention; the arm supporting the drill head being broken off. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan of the means for clamping the sleeve to the post, and Fig. 4 is a detail of a portion of the lower split-end of the sleeve, with,

means for adjusting the sleeve into close proximity with. an annular clamping surface provided by the post. V

' Referring more particularly to the drawings, the invention is disclosed embodied in a radial drill comprising a base 1 upon which is rigidly secured a post 2 having rotatably mounted thereon, in a manner later to be described, a sleeve 3 supporting a radial arm a upon. which is adjustably mounted the usual drill-head (not shown) which sustains and actuates the usual drill-point in. a manner common to machines of this type. 1

The radial arm 4 may be adjusted vcrtically on the sleeve 3, and the drill, carried by the drill-head may be rotated by any suitable means such as, for example, a power shaft 5, entering the post near its base, having a bevel gear connection 6 with a vertical shaft 7 suitably journaled within the post 2. This shaft may have secured to its 1 upperend a gear 8; from which motion may be obtained and utilized through conventional instrumentalities for raising or lowering the arm for rotating the drill spindle.

These parts being conventional need not be further described. To admit of free and easy rotation of the sleeve on the post, the

sleeve is preferably suspended upon an antifriction thrust bearing 9 supported by the From the foregoing it will be observed that the sleeve is held freely rotatable upon, and truly in co-aXial relation with the post in all of its angular positions thereon.

As before stated, the primary ob ect of this invention is to provide an improved means for bracing the column against distortion or any tendency to overturn when subjected tothe strains incident to weight I or a drilling operation. To, this end, the post is formed adjacent its lower end with an annular platform 15 affording at its upper surface, a seat 16 upon which the lower extremity 17 of the sleeve is adapted to be forcibly seated prior to the drilling opera tion by means later to be described.

The lower enlarged portion 3 of the sleeve is preferably split, as at s, and adapted by suitable means, later to be described to grip the cylindrical surface 2 on the post to prevent relative rotation between the post and sleeve.

The extremity 17 is formed with a Hat horizontal face 18 normally held either just clear of or only lightly in contact with the seat 16; the greater portion ofthe weight of the sleeve 8 and arm 4 being then yieldingly supported upon the thrust bearing 9.

The means for thus yieldingly supporting the sleeve during the adjusting interval preferably comprises a bowed member 19 having its intermediate body portion 20 seated'upon the bearing 9 and provided with upwardly and outwardly extending wings 21 and 22 of decreasing thickness which receive and support the weight of the sleeve and arm. This element, being nonintegral with the castings admits of being made of high-quality metal and of being tempered and given superior resiliency and of being easily replaced in case, of breakage or insufiiciency in strength. The mounting of this element is secured as follows:

To the upper end of the sleeve there is secured, in any suitable manner, a cap 23, through which are threaded, adjusting, screws 2 1 and 25 adapted to be locked in ad-' justed positions by jan1-nuts'26 and '27 The inner ends of the adjusting screws bear upon the wings '21 and 522 of the weight-sustaining member 1'9 so that the weight of the sleeve and its attached partsis transmitted to the post through said yielding member.-

The sleeve 3 is formed, at its upper end, 7

with vertically arranged apertures 28 and 529 into which project the tips of the wings 21' and 22. Thus the sleeve and the member 19 are securely inter-locked together and thtreby caused to maintain the same relation in all of the angular adjustments of the sleeve on the post.

As hereinbefore explained, the sleeve is normally supported upon the post with no appreciable friction between the surfaces 16 and 18; thus permitting easy manual r-otation of the sleeve. Prior to the drilling operation, however, the sleeve is depressed firmly upon the post, in opposition to the member 19, and thus the surface 16 is-caused to press upon the face 18. .lVhen thus firmly seated upon the annular plat-form, the sleeve becomes not only an auxiliary post but actually "becomes virtually a unit of the post 2 and a true reinforcement thereof to effectively resist all strainstending to deflect the column. I

A simple and effective means for accomplishing this transfer of weight may conveniently consist of a clamp M, shown in Fig. 3 and preferably assuming the form of a split ring consisting of sections such-as c and .0. This split ring has an internal V shapedgroove 30 adapted toen gage conversely-flaring conical-shoulders 31 and provided by the sleeve 3 and the platform respectively. It is important to note that this split ri-nsr has a two-fold function, to wit, to compel a depression of the sleeve in a vertical direction such that it will be forcibly seated upon the face 18 0f the plat-'- form. andv also to accomplish asuflicient contraction of the split clamping portion 3 of the sleeve upon'the cylindrical surface '2 on the post 2-, to prevent any turning of the sleeve about the post. A bolt 3 enables tihe user so to' adjust the tension of the split portion that, when the split ring M is= -contracted to seat the sleeve secure-1y on the platform it will simultaneously clamp the sleeve to the-cylindricalportzi-on 24: of the 0st. p From a structuml standpoint, the internal V-sh'aped' groove, provided by the splitring is ,diseontinous. being composed of seetors to 38. This enabl s the pressures to be ex rted radially at diametrically opposite pointsa-n'd insures :a uniform :action to compensate for" any possible irregular deformations of the clamping ring. The twtosemi-annular portions 0 anticare held together by means of two bolts 39 and 40.

The head the bolt 39 prefenably has a semi-spherical face l1 seated in a corre sponding recess in the section 0 and similarly formed nut 42 is likewise adj ustably arranged :at the other end; This construc tion provides a desirable hingelike action. The bolt 40 is a part of a clamping device and preferably is in the nature f an eyebolt; and :an eccentric pin 43'passes through the eye lief-said bolt to enable the ring sections :to be drawn together.

The pin 43 is journaled at its upper endto an apertamed lug 45 and is likewise journaled at its lower end to a similar lug 46, and this pin may be turned by means of a hand-lever H attached to the pin 4.3.

It occasionally happens that in the course ofthe transportation of :a drill, it is hoisted by means of ropes placed around the arm and sleeve. To prevent the sleeve from slipping upwardly off of the post during such transportation there has been .provided a simple and efficient thrustbearing which is normally inactive but which looks the sleeve .and post together upon an upward I movement of the sleeve. This thrust: bearing consists of a collar 47 secured upon the upper reduced end 10 of the post as by means of screws 48, of which one only is shown. This collar overlies and cooperates with a thrust-ring 49 secured by bolts 50 upon the annular projection 1'2 ofthe sleeve. Upward movement of the sleeve brings the upper surface. 4:9 into contact with the under surface 47* of the collar whereby material dis placement of the sleeveis prevented. The collar 47 preferably forms an intermediate member between the post and the thrustbearing 9'upon which the member 19 rest-s. By this construction the member 19 is relieved of all strain during the elevation of the drill.

It is to be noted that one of the'essential features of this invention is the providing of an individual yieldable-member, between the post and the cap of the sleeve, which member is nonintegra-l with either of said parts. This member, being .a separate part, may be made of higher grade material than is practical for the other parts of the machine; Likewise if desired the yieldable member may be readily'replaced with a similar part of greater or less resiliency as may be required.

lVithout further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various utilizations by retaining one or" more of the features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of either the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should be, and are intended to be, comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency ofthe following claims c Having thus revealed this invention I claim as new and desire to secure the-fol- Y lowing combinations and elements, or equivalentsthereof, by Letters Patent of the United States: I I y 1. A radial drill combining a base and a non-rotatable post upstanding thereon; a sleeve suspended fromthe upper end of said post and having its lower portion circumscribing said post; said post being provided adjacent its lowermost end with an annular platform and said sleeve having an annular seat arranged in immediate proximity with said platform; said platformand seat be ing in the nature of weight supporting sur faces; an individual resilient element inter posed between the upper ends thereof and adapted normally to support the greater portion of the weight of the sleeve and its attached parts; and means for depressing said sleeve upon said platform against the yielding opposition of said resilient element. 2. A mechanism of the nature disclosed combining a baseand a non-rotatable post upstanding thereon; a tubular member suspended from the upper end of said post and having its lower portion circumscribing said post, said lower. portion and the adjacent portion of said base being provided with co-acting bearing-surfaces located in a substantially horizontal plane and adapted to normally support only a'small. portion of theweight of the sleeve; a separate resilient member intervening between the upper ends of said post and sleeve and adaptednormally to support the greater portionof the weightof the sleeve; 'means'operative to deflect I said resilient member for adjusting said sleeve vertically on said post; and a clamping device acting upon said sleeve and post, in opposition to'said resilient member, to effect an engagement between said bearing-surfaces.

A- radial drill combining a base having a non-rotatable post upstanding therefrom; asleeve suspended from the upper endofsaid post and terminating at its lower end in a substantially horizontal bearing surface, a cap fixed to the upper end of said sleeve; a-resilient member interposed between said cap and said post'and adapted to transmit the weight of said sleeve to'said post; an annular platform formed on said post in immediate proximity with the lower end of said sleeveq'means acting in opposition to said resilient member for forcibly seating said sleeve on said platform, and screws threaded through said cap. and acting upon said resilient member for adjusting said sleeve vertically on said post.

4. A radial drill combining a post provided with an annular abutment; a sleeve suspended from the upper end of said post and provided with vertically. extending aper-; tures; a. resilient member interposed between said sleeve and saidpost and adapted to transmit. the weight of said sleeve. to said. post, said resilient member. being formed as a body having diametrically opposed wings entering the apertures in said sleeve, and

thereby preventing relative rotation between said resilient member and said sleeve, and means acting in opposition to said resilient member to forcibly seat the. lower end of said sleeve on said abutment.

5. A radial-drill combining a sleeve surrounding said post; and means for yieldingly supporting said .sleeveupon the upper end of said post, said means comprising a bowed member supportedintermediate post; a

its ends by said post and having upwardly of the inner element and a bowed member supported intermediate its ends. upon said thrust-bearing and having upwardly and outwardly extending arms upon which the weight of the outer element is-received.

7. A radial-drill combining a post a thrust-bearing secured to the upper. end thereof, a sleeve surrounding saidpost; a cap secured to the upper end of said sleeve; and a yielding element located between'said thrust-bearing and said cap and supported by the former for transmitting the, weight of said sleeve to said post, saidyielding element consisting of a bowed'spring having its intermediate portion seated; upon said thrust-bearing and provided with upwardly and outwardly extending arms of decreasing thickness engaging. said cap;

8. A radial drill combining :a post; a. sleeve suspended therefrom; a separate resilient member. interposed between the upper ends thereof for normally transmitting the weight of the sleeveto the post; andia thrust-bearing. interposed between said sleeve and said post, and active only when the drill is being hoisted, to transmit. the weight of the post directly tothe sleeve, independently of the resilient member, and to prevent separation of the sleeve from the post i v sleeve; a yielding-member and a thrustbearing for supporting saidsleeve upon-the upper end of said post a roller-bearing-be:

tween the upper end of said-post andsaid 9; A radial drillcombining a post; a

lot

sleeve to maintain the sleeve concentric with the post; and a second thrust-bearing between said sleeve and post for transmitting the Weight of the post directly to the sleeve and relieving the yielding member of all strain when the drill is being hoisted.

10. A radial drill combining a post formed at its upper end with a reduced neck; a sleeve rotatably suspended from the upper end of said post; a resilient member interposed between said sleeve and said post and adapted to transmit the weight of said sleeve to said post; an annular flange formed upon the inside of said sleeve; an anti-friction bearing between said reduced neck and said annular flange active to maintain said sleeve concentric with said post, a collar, forming one element of a thrust bearing, secured upon said neck and overlying said anti-friction bearing; a thrustbearing seated upon said collar; a yielding element interposed between said thrust-bearing and said sleeve and independent thereof for transmitting the weight of said sleeve to said post; and a normally idle thrust-bearing comprising said collar and a co-acting ring secured upon said annular flange, said thrust bearing affording means for preventing material displacement of said sleeve on said post and relieving said resilient member of strain when the drill is being hoisted.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, as attested by the two subscribing witnesses.

DAVID C. KLAUSMEYER. Witnesses:

C. C. SLETE,

HILDA HERBERS. 

